Did I make it? Breaking down the PGA Tour cut rules
Not sure how the cut is determined on the PGA Tour? Have no fear…
Because tournament fields are larger than what is paid out, a cut line is used to determine which players make it through to play the weekend and receive a payout.
It sounds like a simple process but can be complicated to work out, so here’s a look at the PGA Tour event cut rule.
How many rounds are played before the cut?
Every player in the tournament field plays two rounds before the cut line is determined, usually 18 holes on Thursday and 18 holes on Friday depending on what tournament they’re playing in.
Players are paired in three balls for the tournament’s first two days before the 36-hole cut is made.
What is the PGA Tour cut rule?
The PGA Tour cut rule for regular stroke play tour events sees the top 65 players advance to the weekend with the score of the 65th placed professional being the score needed to make the cut.
Any player that is lower than the 65th-placed professional or tied makes the cut and plays the final two days of the tournament.
Also: PGA Championship cut rule
Has this always been the case?
Prior to the 2018/2019 season, the cut was made at the top 70 players including ties after 36 holes.
78 or more players make it, then a secondary cut is used after 54 holes to reduce the field to a figure.
Those who make the secondary cut would have the chance to earn more money and move up the leaderboard.
If that occurs, the players who miss the secondary cut would receive a small payout and crucial FedEx Cup points.
10 stroke rule
The majors primarily used to use the 10-shot cut rule, perhaps because of the harder courses, but this is no longer the case.
The US Open cut rule concerns the top 60 players, while the top 50 players at the Masters make the weekend.
The Open Championship and the PGA Championship cut line allow the top 70 players to play the final two rounds.
No men’s or women’s majors use the 10-shot cut rule anymore.
Now read: 2023 PGA Tour schedule
Now read: What is the Fall Series?
So there are the PGA Tour cut rules 2023! Now follow us on X!
Matthew Beedle
Matthew has been playing golf since he was around 13 and took up the game at a local nine-hole municipal course with his friends before joining Pontefract & District Golf Club just over the hedge.
Still a member of Pontefract with a handicap of 3, he currently sits on the board of directors to help with digital and marketing initiatives in order to improve membership and visitor income.
Matthew graduated university with a First Class in Sports Journalism from Leeds Trinity University and has been working in the golf industry since graduating.
NCG’s social media & marketing manager, Matthew’s main job role is to increase website traffic to the National Club Golfer website via our email and social media channels as well as driving entries to grow our NCG Top 100s Tour events amongst other tasks.
Not one to change his equipment too often, Matthew currently plays the TaylorMade M2 driver which has lasted the test of time in his bag. Elsewhere, you’ll find him using the TaylorMade Stealth 2 three-wood with a Ping G425 Crossover 2-iron to aid his long game.
Through his 4-iron to Gap Wedge, Matthew uses the Ping i500 irons accompanied by Ping’s Glide 3.0 56-degree and 60-degree wedges.
Another club that has stood the test of time in his bag is a Nike Method Core MC-3i putter which has had to have the SuperStroke grip changed at least three times. Ball of choice is the Titleist ProV1.
